On Sunday, February 1st, I was very pleased to have the opportunity after Divine Liturgy to bestow a blessing on one of my favorite icons. This icon is known as “Christ the Pantocrator,” which means “Christ the Ruler,” or more literally “Christ the Almighty.”

The icon had been brought to Holy Ghost Church by Jorge, a young man interested in Orthodox Christianity and seeking to learn more about it. Jorge already had attended many services at our parish, and I couldn’t have been more joyous that he had now chosen a replica of this famous icon to help him in his personal prayer life at home.

The original of this icon is the oldest known image of Jesus Christ in existence. It is believed to have been painted about AD 550 and has been held at St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai in Egypt for nearly 1500 years.

But, the icon is unique in another way, and its singularity may be discovered in the haunting gaze of Jesus Christ depicted on it. A careful look reveals that Jesus’ eyes in this image, and the two sides of his face, are painted with totally different expressions.

Looking straight on at the icon, you’ll notice that the right side of His face (that is, to your left) reveals a softer, gentler, expression, while the left side of His face (that is, to your right), with its arched eyebrow, conveys a sterner, piercing expression. In fact, if you could split the icon in half and re-paint it with the two different sides of His face symmetrically aligned, you’d actually end up with two very different-looking images of Jesus!

“Christ the Almighty” was painted in this way for a reason: the icon depicts the two natures of Christ, that is, His humanity and His divinity. This is appropriate, for not only is Jesus our Brother who has experienced all our pain and suffering, but He also is our Judge and King.

I have a replica of this icon hanging in my own office, and it reminds me each day of an amazing reality: Jesus is my Friend, but He also is my Lord. When I need His compassion, I gaze at this icon; when I need His reprimand, I gaze at this icon.

May our friend Jorge enjoy the richness of this image, receiving from Jesus daily exactly what he needs. I know that every time I look at this icon, I do.

Orthodox Links

Our Church’s Patronal Icon & Hymn

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, who hast revealed the fisherman as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit. Through them Thou didst draw the world into Thy net. O Lover of mankind, glory to Thee!